President Donald J. Trump delivered a forceful message to Hamas on Monday, warning the militant group of “total eradication” should it violate the recently brokered ceasefire agreement with Israel. The statement comes amid renewed tensions in the Gaza Strip following reports of violence and delays in the release of hostages.
Speaking from the White House during a joint press conference with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, President Trump reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to upholding the fragile peace deal, which was negotiated under his administration earlier this month.
“We made a deal with Hamas that they’re going to be very good, they’re going to behave, they’re going to be nice,” Trump said. “If they’re not, we’re going to go and we’re going to eradicate them, if we have to. They’ll be eradicated, and they know that”.
The President’s remarks follow a weekend of escalated violence in Gaza, where Israel accused Hamas of stalling the return of hostages and resuming aggressive actions. In response, the Trump administration has intensified diplomatic efforts to stabilize the truce, dispatching Vice President JD Vance to the region to engage with Israeli and Palestinian leaders.
While emphasizing that no U.S. troops would be deployed, President Trump underscored that international partners, particularly Israel, are prepared to act swiftly if the ceasefire is breached.
“Israel would go in in two minutes, if I asked them to,” Trump added, highlighting the readiness of allied forces to respond to any escalation.
The Gaza ceasefire agreement, hailed as a significant diplomatic achievement, has so far resulted in the release of 13 out of 28 hostages. However, the recent unrest has raised concerns about the durability of the accord and the intentions of Hamas.
The Trump administration reiterated its stance that peace in the region hinges on strict adherence to the terms of the agreement. Officials warned that any deviation by Hamas would be met with decisive consequences.